Page 71 of Right Place, Right Time
‘Your heart will guide you. When your mind says it’s not possible, trust your feelings.
‘I’m so sorry I cannot be clearer about any of this. But you will soon come to understand why. And please remember, even though you may feel like it at times, you are never truly on your own. GG xx.’
I gaze at the letter in my hand. My grandmother died so many years ago that having this letter here in my hand feels like she is right here with me again. Every word I can hear in her soft, gentle voice. A voice that was never raised, but was always listened to by everyone. Because what she said always meant something. Her words were always worth listening to. Just like they are now. Butwhat is she trying to tell us and why is everything so secret?
‘Are you all right?’ Adam asks. I carefully place my grandmother’s letter next to Dotty’s on the coffee table in front of me and it feels like I’m reuniting them once more.
‘Yes,’ I say quietly. ‘It’s just so odd hearing them both speak like that. Obviously I didn’t know Dotty, but that letter sounded just like my grandmother.’ I touch both letters again as though I’m making sure they’re comfortable – like a mother putting her baby to bed. And once again I feel the pull not only towards Dotty’s loss, but to my own mother as well, whose touch I haven’t felt for such a long time either, and the strength of feeling and connection I suddenly have to all three of these women is so powerful, it’s almost frightening.
‘It was definitely written by your grandmother – you’re sure of it?’
Adam’s voice breaks my spell. But I’m not annoyed – I’m simply grateful to have him here with me as I discover all this. ‘Yes, it’s definitely her handwriting,’ I tell him. ‘I always called her GG – it was a nickname. I couldn’t say her name properly when I was small so I called her GG instead.’
‘I can see that reading those letters have really affected you,’ Adam says. ‘Do you want to go on?’
‘Of course I do. This has made me even more determined to find out what’s going on here – I owe it toallthe women in my family. Plus, we still have your letter to read.’
Adam lifts the third envelope from the box. ‘It’s incredible how certain people were that we’d meet one day,’ he says as he looks at his name written on the front.
‘I know. That would be strange enough on its own, but it’s onlyoneof so many odd things happening to us.’
Adam opens his envelope and begins to read aloud.
‘Adam, it’s your grandfather here.’ Adam smiles. ‘This already sounds like him. He was always to the point.
‘When you read this, I will likely be dead. Don’t spend time mourning me, dear boy. You have far more pressing things to attend to.
‘If you haven’t done so already, make sure you give plenty of time to a young lady called Eve. She will be performing my house clearance if all goes to plan. Eve is very important to what happens next.’ Adam glances at me. ‘None of these letters have dates on them. I wonder when they were written?’
‘Go on,’ I say.
‘If you are reading this letter, you will likely also have discovered the special books from my bookshelves, and, if Gerald plays his part correctly, now be in possession of the bookshop too.He knew?’ Adam looks shocked. ‘So much for my own free will. It seems I was always destined to have the bookshop!
‘The bookshop will do more for you than touring around with those popular music bands ever did. And if she’s anything like her grandmother, so will Eve.’
Adam glances at me and I feel my cheeks begin to flush.
‘You both had to be told, but in a way that no one else would understand. So my apologies for all the puzzles and clues, but hopefully this will allow you to discover the truth without others finding out.
‘Sarah helped me concoct this whole plan. She was definitely the brains of the whole thing. Without her to help me, I’d have been quite lost. Both Lily and Bill were unaware of what was going on, and when I say going on, I don’t mean any funnybusiness, you understand – I mean in terms of the plan.Bill?’ Adam asks.
‘He was my grandfather. Was Lily your grandmother – George’s wife?’
Adam nods. ‘I believe Sarah will give you the rest of the clues you both need to succeed. So it’s just for me to wish you both the very best of luck. I never said this when I was alive, Adam. But I was and still am very proud of you. Warmest wishes, your grandfather, George.P.S. Always remember the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’
‘Are you all right?’ I ask as Adam continues to stare at the letter.
He looks up and I notice his eyes look a little misty. ‘No one ever said they were proud of me before. I mean, maybe my mother, but I can’t really remember now.’
I squeeze his hand. ‘Your grandfather was obviously very proud. He seems to be entrusting something quite important to you.’
‘To both of us, it would seem. But what is that something?’
24
The next afternoon, Adam and I are waiting for Freddy, my clockmaker friend, to arrive at the shop.
I phoned him this morning and asked if he could call in at the shop as soon as possible, and he promised to come this afternoon.
